Illuminated fishing lure

ABSTRACT

Fishing lures which releasably secure chemiluminescent capsules therein. Releasable mountings are sized to receive and snuggly hold the resilient chemiluminescent capsules and enable them to be readily removed and replaced, despite possible variances in length. 
     In one group of preferred embodiments, the chemiluminescent capsules are mounted in the interior of a transparent lure for easy insertion and removal. Another preferred embodiment enables a chemiluminescent capsule to be readily affixed to a segment of fishing line using straps without cutting of the line. Another embodiment has the capsule attached to loops formed in the shank of a hook.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of prior co-pending application Ser.No. 813,677 filed Dec. 23, 1985, entitled "Illuminated Fishing Lure,"which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 607,284, filed May 4, 1984entitled "Fishing Lure and Entrapment Device," now U.S. Pat. No.4,589,221; and Ser. No. 648,458, filed Sept. 7, 1984 entitled"Illuminated Fishing Lure", "now U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,839.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to fishing equipment, and moreparticularly to illuminated fishing lures.

BACKGROUND ART

In the past, many attempts have been made to improve the ability offishing lures to attract fish by enhancing the reflective orilluminative properties of the lures. For example, electrically poweredlights have been tried in conjunction with fishing lures. Many problemsare associated with the use of electrical lights in an under-waterenvironment, however. Water is a conductor and salt water is highlycorrosive. Thus, water can cause short circuits and cause metal contactsand other parts to corrode. When the electricity for lights is suppliedthrough power lines, the extension and maintenance of such lines isdifficult and particularly impractical for sports fishing. Using a powerline when fishing with a reel at any appreciable depth is not feasible.Similarly, the use of a light bulb and battery in a sealed compartmenthas associated problems. Insufficient illumination, heavy weight, bulkysize, leakage of water into the compartment, replacement of batteries,and switching of power to the light bulb are a few of the problems.

As an alternative to electrically powered lights, florescent paint hasbeen used on fishing lures. The amount of illumination provided by suchlures, however, is minimal. This is particularly true when fishing oncloudy days or at substantial depths.

Attempts to provide increased illumination have been enhanced by thecreation of small chemiluminescent capsules, commonly known as "lightsticks." Such capsules typically comprise a sealed glass tube containinga first chemical housed within an outer resilient plastic tube. A secondchemical is housed intermediate the tubes. By bending the outerresilient tube, the inner glass tube can be broken to allow the twochemicals to mix and react, causing illumination of the capsule.Chemiluminescent capsules of this type are described in detail in U.S.Pat. No. 3,576,987 to Voight, et al.

Small chemiluminescent capsules are attractive for use with fishinglures because they overcome the problems discussed previously withrespect to electrical or florescent systems. To date, however, the useof chemiluminescent capsules has been hampered by lack of an adequatemeans to readily attach and detach the capsules to a fishing line orfishing lure.

A particular problem presented by existing chemiluminescent capsules isthe fact that they are not manufactured with a uniform length. Thelength of small capsules may vary plus or minus 10%. Such variance hascreated difficulties in designing fittings for such capsules which,until the present invention, have not been adequately addressed.

Another problem concerns the difficulty and time consuming procedurerequired to attach the holder for the chemiluminescent capsule to thefishing line. This is especially a problem for commercial longlinefishermen desiring to attach the chemiluminescent capsule to existingground lines and the ganglions attached thereto. Similar problems existfor other type commercial fishermen and sports fishermen.

It will be appreciated that there has been a need for a convenient andinexpensive illuminating fishing lure which does not require the use ofwires, batteries, or light bulbs, and which provides an easily used,self-contained source of light using a chemiluminescent capsule and aholder therefor. The holder should be easily and quickly attachable toan existing fishing line without cutting and re-tying the line or tyingknots in the line. Moreover, the same holder should be usable with linesof significantly different diameter. The holder should also beadjustable to permit the holder to stay stationary or slidably move onthe line, as selected by the user. The holder should have a smoothprofile so as to pass through automatic baiters without difficulty.Furthermore, the attachment and detachment of the chemiluminescentcapsule to the holder should be easy and quick, but yet hold the capsulefirmly in place during usage of the holder against the normal forcesencountered on the capsule during usage. The holder should havesimplicity of design and use, and be moldable as an integral unit. Thepresent invention fulfills these needs and further provides otherrelated advantages.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a fishing lure which willhouse a chemiluminescent capsule and allow such capsule to be readilyinserted and removed therefrom.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a fishing lurewhich will maximize the attractive effect of the chemiluminescentcapsule.

It is another object of this invention to provide a means for quicklyattaching and detaching chemiluminescent capsules to a fishing line.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for attachmentof such fishing lures to existing fishing line of varying diameterswithout cutting and re-tying the line or tying knots in the line.

It is another object of this invention to provide such fishing lures andattachment means which will work well with capsules of variable length.

These and other objects which will become more apparent as the inventionis described more fully below are obtained by providing, in a pluralityof embodiments, fishing lures including means for releasably securingchemiluminescent capsules therein. Releasable mountings are sized toreceive and snuggly hold the resilient chemiluminescent capsules andenable them to be readily popped out and replaced, despite possiblevariances in length.

In one group of preferred embodiments, the chemiluminescent capsules arereleasably mounted within a translucent lure for easy insertion andremoval. Other preferred embodiments enable a chemiluminescent capsuleto be readily affixed to a segment of fishing line. Another embodimentenables a capsule to be directly retained by the shank of a hook.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention forhousing a chemiluminescent capsule within a translucent fishing lure.

FIG. 2 is an alternate embodiment for housing a chemiluminescent capsulewithin a translucent fishing lure.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a modified version of the embodiment ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of an alternative form of surface irregularityfor the outer surface of the lures of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a detail view of an alternative form of surface irregularityfor the outer surface of the lures of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention for mounting a chemiluminescent capsule to a fish hook.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a fishing lureaccording to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of another lure embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9A is an enlarged fragmentary view of an alternative embodiment forthe lure shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken through the line10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment for thelure of FIG. 9 as if also taken through the line 10--10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of yet another alternative embodimentfor the lure of FIG. 9 as if also taken through the line 10-10 of FIG.9.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of a modified version of the lure of FIG. 9with attachment straps shown attaching the lure to a fishing line.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the lure of FIG. 13 with theone strap through its locking aperture.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the lure ofFIG. 13 with modified attachment straps.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the lures of FIGS. 13 and 15 shownattached to a longline ground line and ganglion.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Fishing lures according to the present invention are designed to allowchemiluminescent capsules to be easily and quickly inserted and removedfrom the lure, and yet be snuggly held in the lure. Some preferredembodiments of the invention are specially designed to accommodatecapsules of variable length and to allow easy attachment to a fishingline. The chemiluminescent capsule 10 has a generally circularcross-section with a resilient outer tubular casing 12. Commerciallyavailable capsules of this type can vary in length up to ten percentfrom the nominal length. A chemiluminescent capsule is activated bybending the capsule to break an inner glass tube (not shown). Theactivated capsule may then be inserted into the lure. When fishing iscomplete, or the capsule needs replacing, the capsule is easily removedby applying pressure thereto.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention. A lure 100 includesa translucent, elongated body 102 fabricated generally in the shape of asmall fish. Hooks 104, and 106 depend from the body. A cylindricalcapsule bore 108 extends longitudinally from the rear end of the body toa location in the interior of the body. The diameter of the capsule boreis sized to be substantially equal to the diameter of a chemiluminescentcapsule 110 so that the chemiluminescent capsule can be slid through arearward capsule bore opening 111 into the bore for positioning entirelytherewithin. The capsule is held in place by the frictional engagementbetween the capsule outward surface and the interior wall surface of thebore. Extending forwardly from the capsule bore is a relatively small,reduced size bore 112 which extends from the forward end of the capsulebore 108 to the forward end of the lure body. This relatively small boreis used during removal of a capsule from the capsule bore. A smallobject such as a pin or wire (not shown) is inserted into the relativelysmall bore to contact the forward end of the capsule in the capsule boreand force it rearwardly to remove the capsule from the capsule bore. Insuch manner the capsule can be easily removed without the need for asecond capsule bore opening in the body.

FIG. 2 illustrates another fishing lure 114 according to the presentinvention. An elongated body 116 includes a cylindrical capsule bore 118extending longitudinally through the body from a first opening 120 atthe rear of the body to a second opening 121 at the front of the body.The bore is sized such that its diameter is substantially equal to thediameter of a chemiluminescent capsule to be frictionally held in thebore. A slot 122 extends tranversely from the bore to the exterior ofthe lure body.

In operation, the lure of FIG. 2 is used by inserting an activatedchemiluminescent capsule into the bore. The body of the lure ispreferably fabricated of translucent material so that light from thecapsule can project from the bore through the body of the lure toattract fish. Light also radiates out through the slot 122. To remove achemiluminescent capsule from the bore, a thin object such as a knifeblade is aligned with the slot at one end opening of the bore and pushedthrough the slot and bore to force the capsule out of the other endopening of the bore. Another capsule may then be inserted into the boreas desired. FIG. 3 illustrates a lure 124 similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 2, having a bore 126 and a slot 128 communicating therewith.

The outer surface of the lure 114 of FIG. 2 includes a plurality ofconvex protrusions 130 on its outer surface to diffuse the light fromthe chemiluminescent capsule. Other surface irregularities, such as theconcave indentations 132 illustrated in FIG. 3, the scale-likeindentations 134 illustrated in FIG. 4, or the strake-like projections136 of FIG. 5 may also be used to accomplish the same purpose. Suchsurface irregularities will cause light from the chemiluminescentcapsule to project from the lure at varying angles and additionallycause acoustical effects similar to the sound of fish traveling throughwater.

FIG. 6 illustrates a similar arrangement according to the presentinvention where a fish hook 178 includes two spaced apart loops 180, 182integrally formed in the slender shank portion of the hook for receivingand retaining the chemiluminescent capsule 10. The loops are each formedby turns in the shank to provide a continuous shank design to utilizethe resiliency of the shank without requiring affixation of a separatemember thereto. The interior diameter of the loops are sizedsubstantially equal to the exterior of the capsule. The loops are spacedapart longitudinally along the shank portion of the hook to securelyhold the capsule against water forces impacting on the capsule but yetto minimize blockage of the light emanating from the capsule.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention comprising a fish lure 186 having a translucent body 188. Aninternal air cavity 190 is provided in the rear of the body forbouyancy. If desired, a ballast weight may be inserted within thecavity. A bore 192 extends diagonally across the body when viewed inplan, for receiving a chemiluminescent capsule. The bore extends fromone side of the lure body to the other and has an interior bore diametersized substantially equal to the diameter of the chemiluminescentcapsule to be housed in the bore. In operation, a capsule is insertedinto the bore for use. When it is desired to remove the capsule, anobject is inserted into one end of the bore to force the capsule out theother end of the bore.

Another alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 9comprising a fishing lure or holder 194 having an elongated translucentbody 196. The body has a longitudinally extending cavity 198 having alength at least as long as the chemiluminescent capsule to be retainedtherein. As best shown in FIG. 10, the body cavity 198 is formed in thebody by a pair of opposed generally planar sidewalls 200 and 202 spacedapart a distance sufficient to receive the capsule therebetween. Thebody cavity has first and second opposed longitudinally extendingopenings 204 and 206, respectively, communicating with the body cavity198.

Attached to each of the sidewalls 200 and 202 and projecting into thefirst cavity opening 204 are a plurality of protrusions 208 serving asdetents for holding the capsule 10 in the body cavity 198. Theprotrusions 208 attached to each of the sidewalls includes two sets ofthree longitudinally spaced apart protrusions. Each set is positionedtoward one longitudinal end portion of the body cavity, opposite the setof protrusions on the other sidewall. The protrusions project into thefirst cavity opening a sufficient distance such that the distancebetween the protrusions on the two sidewalls is equal to or preferablyless than the diameter of the capsule and permit the chemiluminescentcapsule 10 to be pushed laterally therebetween by deforming itsresilient outer casing 12 in order to position the capsule within thebody for use of the lure or to remove the capsule from within thecavity. The distance between the protrusions is such that the capsulecannot pass by the protrusions once inside the cavity under the normalforces encountered on the capsule during the use of the lure in thewater. Because the outer casing of the capsule is formed of resilientmaterial, a capsule of a given diameter can be inserted through theopposite sidewall protrusions which are spaced apart by a distanceslightly less than the diameter of the capsule. It is desirable to formthe sidewalls at a spaced apart distance about equal to the diameter ofthe capsule to avoid unnecessary movement of the capsule when in placewithin the body cavity 198.

The protrusions 208 at the first cavity opening 198 are positionedinward from the outward edge portions of the opening to permit partialinsertion of the cavity into the cavity opening for longitudinalalignment with the cavity prior to the capsule being pushed between theprotrusions for positioning the capsule within the cavity. It is notedthat since the sidewalls 200 and 202 are spaced apart by about thediameter of the capsule, the capsule may be easily and quickly placedpartially within the cavity at the first cavity opening in preparationfor insertion. This allows partial insertion of the capsule in analigned fashion within the cavity prior to pushing the capsule betweenthe protrusions, and facilitates and speeds up insertion of the capsule.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the second cavity opening 206 is ofa restricted size with the opposed sidewalls 200 and 202 being formedinto stop shoulders 210 and 212, respectively. The stop shoulders arespaced apart a distance to prevent passage of the capsule through thesecond cavity opening.

The lure body 196 has rigid spaced apart end flanges 214 and 216, eachhaving an aperture 218 for tying of a fish line hook and the like to thelure. The portion of the body extending between the end flanges 214 and216 include a pair of longitudinally extending body portions 220 and 222which define the cavity 198 therebetween and have the body sidewalls 200and 202, respectively, formed on the inward surface thereof. The bodyportions 220 and 222 are somewhat resilient and yieldably deformable inthe lateral direction upon insertion and removable of the capsule andfacilitate insertion of the capsule into the cavity and its retentiontherein. The combination of the protrusions 208 and the resilient bodyportions 220 and 222 allow the user to conveniently insert the capsulelaterally into the body cavity 198 using his fingers and remove thecapsule from the cavity by using his fingertip or fingernail, or anobject pushing through the second cavity opening 206 to engage thecapsule in the cavity and force it through the first cavity opening 204.

An alternative embodiment of the end flanges 214 and 216 is shown inFIG. 9A. In this embodiment an outwardly diverging lateral slot 219 isprovided and extends laterally outward from the aperture 218. The slotin each end flange is sized to receive the fishing line (not shown) forsliding attachment of the lure 194 to the line. The slot is sized andpositioned so that when the fishing line is taut under tension the linewill not tend to exit the slot. The size of the aperture 218 receivingthe fishing line may be selected to control the freedom with which thelure will slide along the line.

An alternative embodiment of the lure 194 of FIG. 9 is shown incross-section in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, the second cavity opening206 is defined by a laterally outward and longitudinally extendingportions 224 and 226 of the sidewalls 200 and 202, respectively,converging toward each other at the second cavity opening. The sidewallportions 224 and 226 converge together to a distance therebetweensubstantially equal to or less than the diameter of the capsule suchthat the capsule can be pushed laterally through the second cavityopening by deforming the resilient outer casing 12 of the capsule forpositioning the capsule within the cavity or more preferably for quickand easy removal therefrom. The distance between the sidewall portionsis such that the capsule cannot pass out of the second cavity openingonce within the cavity under the normal forces encountered on thecapsule during use of the lure but yet removal is less difficult thanpushing the capsule out between the protrusions 208 at the first cavityopening. With this embodiment it is preferred to insert the capsulethrough the first cavity opening which allows pre-alignment of thecapsule and tends to "pop" the capsule into the central portion of thebody cavity as it is pushed past the protrusions.

While the sidewalls are substantially planar in this embodiment, theyhave a slightly concave shape and, as discussed above, converge towardeach other at the second cavity opening 206. The sidewall portions 224and 226 converge toward each other from a position inward of the secondcavity opening and define an elongated central cavity portion inward ofthe protrusions 208 at the first cavity opening 204 and inward of theconverging sidewall portions at the second cavity opening to provide alongitudinally extending expansion location within the cavity where thecapsule is positioned during usage.

Another alternative embodiment of the lure 194 of FIG. 9 is shown incross-section in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, protrusions 208 are alsoprovided on the sidewalls 200 and 202 at the second cavity opening 206.As with the protrusions at the first cavity opening 204, the protrusionsat the second cavity opening are positioned opposite each other andproject into the second cavity opening a sufficient distance such thatthe distance between the protrusions permits the capsule 10 to be pushedtherebetween by deforming its resilient outer casing 12 for positioningthe capsule within the cavity or removal of the capsule from the cavity.

A modified embodiment of the lure 194 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Asecond modified version is shown in FIG. 15. These modified versions areshown attached to a ground line 228 and a ganglion 230 of a fishinglongline in FIG. 16.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 13 and 14 has a pair oflongitudinally spaced apart line guides 232 each attached to the bodyportion 220 and an edge portion of one of the body end flanges 214 and216. The guides are longitudinally inward from the outside ends of theend flanges. Each of the line guides 232 includes a pair of members 234and 236 projecting outward from the body and laterally spaced apart toreceive and retain therebetween, against lateral movement, a fishingline 238 to which the lure is to be attached. In a manner that will bedescribed more fully below, the line guides facilitate positioning ofthe fishing line 238 adjacent to the body wall portion 220 and hold thefishing line away from the cavity openings 204 and 206 to prevent thefishing line from getting across the cavity openings and requiring it tobe moved so that the capsule can be inserted into or removed from thecavity. This avoids the unnecessary delay of handling the line duringinsertion and removal of the capsule which is done for commercialfishermen as the line is being played out or pulled in. As such, if theprocess is slowed down as a result of having to contend with the fishingline blocking the cavity openings, the speed at which the fishing linecan be played out or pulled in is decreased.

The lure 194 is provided with a flexible strap 238 having one end 240fixedly attached to an edge portion of each of the body end flanges 214and 216. The strap is further provided with a pointed free end 242. Thefixed end 240 of the strap is attached to an edge wall of the body endflange opposite that to which the line guides 232 are attached.

A strap-receiving lock aperture 244 is formed in each of the body endflanges 214 and 216 adjacent to the strap attached to that end flange.The strap 238 may be wrapped around the body end flange to which it isattached to pass over a flat exterior edge wall portion 246 of the bodyend flange adjacent to the line guide and opposite the edge wall towhich the strap is attached. The edge wall portions 246 are positionedsuch that the fishing line 238 passes thereover when the line isreceived in the line guides 232. The strap has sufficient length to wraparound at least a part of the body end flange and overlay thecorresponding flat edge wall portion 246 and frictionally engage thefishing line 238 passing thereover. The line is positioned between thestrap and the flat edge wall portion when the strap is locked inposition in a manner which will be described below.

The free end 242 of the strap 238 is insertable in the correspondinglock aperture 244 and when inserted fully therethrough may be pulled onto move the strap further through the aperture so as to adjustablytighten the strap around the fishing line 238 and apply a selectablefrictional force on the fishing line for controlling the freedom of thelure 194 to slidably move along the fishing line. If sufficient force isapplied, the fishing lure may be locked in place on the fishing line, orif less force is applied the lure may be set so as to be able to slidealong the fishing line, as desired by the user. To maintain the positionof the strap in the aperture, the strap includes a plurality oftransverse ridge projections 248 along a mid portion of the strap lengthand the aperture has a tab 250 (see FIG. 14) to engage the projectionsto permit substantially free lengthwise passage of the strap through theaperture in one direction to tighten the strap around the line, but tolock and prevent removal of the strap from the aperture in the oppositedirection. In cross-section, the projections 248 are triangular in shapewith a sloped wall portion which is easily pulled by the tab 250 in onedirection while an upright wall portion of the projection is engaged bythe tab when pulled in the opposite direction to prevent movement inthat direction.

The lure may be molded as an integral unit with the straps 238 formedintegral with the body. It is noted that in this embodiment of theinvention, the apertures 218 in the body end flanges 214 and 216 are notutilized since it is not necessary to tie the lure to the fishing line.As such, the fisherman does not have to cut and re-tie his existinglonglines in order to use the lure. Furthermore, the lure provides asmooth profile to go through automatic baiters. If desired, the excessfree end portion of the strap 238 may be cut off after the strap islocked in position within the lock aperture 244 to minimize interferencewith baiting equipment. It is further noted that by using adjustablestraps, the lure may be used with fishing lines having a substantialvariance in diameter merely by appropriately adjusting the tightness ofthe straps around the fishing line.

A modified version of the lure 194 of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 15. Inthis embodiment, the strap 238 has a series of edge serrations or ears252 formed along the opposing edge portions of the strap. In thisembodiment the lock aperture 244 is not utilized, but instead each ofthe straps is insertable through the aperture 218 provided in the bodyend flanges 214 and 216 for locking the strap into position. Theaperture 218 is provided with a diameter and the straps have a widthsuch that substantially free lengthwise passage of the strap through theaperture in the direction to tighten the strap around the fishing line238 is permitted and movement of the strap in the opposite direction isprevented by the serrations engaging the face of the end flanges so asto lock the strap and prevent its removal.

Although the invention has been described and disclosed herein withrespect to particular embodiments thereof, it is not intended that theinvention be limited to these embodiments, but include all embodimentswhich are within the spirit and scope of the claims.

I claim:
 1. An illuminated fishing lure for housing an elongatedchemiluminescent capsule having a resilient outer surface, comprising:anelongated body including a longitudinally extending cavity at least aslong as the capsule, the cavity being formed in the body by a pair ofopposed sidewalls spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive thechemiluminescent capsule therebetween, the cavity having at least onelongitudinally extending opening communicating with the body cavity andsized large enough to allow lateral passage of the capsule therethrough;capsule retaining means for permitting selective insertion and removalof a chemiluminescent capsule through the cavity opening, and forretaining the capsule within the cavity against the normal forcesencountered on the capsule during use of the lure; a line guidepositioned on a longitudinally extending exterior side wall portion ofthe body to receive and retain a line to which the lure is attachedagainst lateral movement and away from the cavity openings; a pair offlexible straps each having one end attached to one of the two oppositeend portions of the body, and having a free end; a pair of exterior wallportions of the body, each positioned at one of the two opposite endportions of the body for cooperation with one of the straps, the pair ofexterior wall portions being positioned for the line to pass thereoverwhen received in the line guide; a pair of strap receiving lockapertures each at one of the two opposite end portions of the body andadjacent to one of the straps, each aperture lockably retaining thecorresponding strap therein, and each strap having a length sufficientto overlie the corresponding exterior wall portion and frictionallyengage the line passing thereover between the strap and the exteriorwall portion when the strap is locked in position within thecorresponding strap aperture, the free end of each strap beinginsertable into the strap aperture and the strap being lengthwiseadjustably positionable within the aperture and lockable at selectivepositions along at least a portion of its length to adjustably tightenthe strap around the line and apply a selectable frictional force on theline for controlling the freedom of the lure to slidably move along theline.
 2. The lure of claim 1 wherein the straps are formed integral withthe body.
 3. The lure of claim 1 wherein at least one of the strapsincludes a plurality of transversely extending sloped projections alonga portion of the strap length and the lure further includes a tabpositioned in the corresponding lock aperture to engage the slopedprojections to permit substantially free lengthwise passage of the strapthrough the aperture in a direction to tighten the strap around the lineand to lock and prevent removal of the strap from the aperture in anopposite direction.
 4. The lure of claim 1 wherein at least one of thestraps includes a plurality of serrations along opposing edge portionsthereof along at least a portion of the strap length and thecorresponding lock aperture includes a face wall extending about theaperture to engage the strap serrations to permit substantially freelengthwise passage of the strap through the aperture in a direction totighten the strap around the lure and to lock and prevent removal of thestrap from the aperture in an opposite direction.
 5. The lure of claim 1wherein the pair of exterior body wall portions over which the linepasses for engagement with the straps are substantially flat surfaces.6. The lure of claim 1 wherein the line guide includes at least twolongitudinally spaced apart pairs of projections, each of theprojections in a pair being laterally spaced apart a distance to receivethe line therebetween but to substantially eliminate lateral movement ofthe line relative to the lure.
 7. The lure of claim 6 wherein the pairof exterior body wall portions over which the line passes for engagementwith the straps are a pair of substantially flat surfaces positionedadjacent to and longitudinally outward of the two longitudinally spacedapart line guide pairs of projections.
 8. An illuminated fishing lurefor housing an elongated chemiluminescent capsule, comprising:anelongated, translucent body including a longitudinally extending cavityat least as long as the capsule, the cavity being formed in the body bya pair of opposed generally planar sidewalls spaced apart a distancesufficient to receive the chemiluminescent capsule therebetween, thecavity having a pair of opposed longitudinally extending openingscommunicating with the body cavity and sized large enough to allowlateral passage of the capsule therethrough; capsule retainerspositioned at the cavity openings permitting selective insertion andremoval of a chemiluminescent capsule through the cavity openings, andretaining the capsule within the cavity against the normal forcesencountered on the capsule during use of the lure; line guidesprojecting away from the body and positioned on a longitudinallyextending exterior sidewall portion of the body to receive and retain aline to which the lure is attached, the guides retaining the lineagainst lateral movement and adjacent to the body sidewall portion andclear of the cavity openings; a pair of flexible straps, each having oneend fixedly attached to one of the two opposite end portions of thebody, and having a free end; a pair of exterior flat wall portions ofthe body, each positioned at one of the two opposite end portions of thebody, the pair of wall portions being positioned for the line to passthereover when received in the line guides; a pair of strap receivinglock apertures, each at one of the two opposite end portions of the bodyand adjacent to one of the straps, each aperture lockably retaining thecorresponding strap therein, and each strap having a length sufficientto overlie the corresponding exterior wall portion and frictionallyengage the line passing thereover between the strap and the exteriorwall portion when the strap is locked in position within thecorresponding strap aperture, the free end of each strap beinginsertable into the strap aperture and the strap being lengthwiseadjustably positionable within the aperture and lockable at selectivepositions along at least a portion of its length to adjustably tightenthe strap around the lure and apply a selectable frictional force on theline for controlling the freedom of the lure to slidably move along theline.
 9. The lure of claim 8 wherein the capsule retainers include atleast one protrusion attached to one of the sidewalls and projectinginto the one cavity opening, the protrusion projecting into the cavityopening a sufficient distance such that a chemiluminescent capsule canbe pushed past the protrusion by deforming its resilient outer layer forpositioning the capsule within the cavity for use of the lure or removalof the capsule from within the cavity, but cannot pass by the protrusiononce within the cavity under the normal forces encountered on thecapsule during use of the lure.
 10. The lure of claim 8 wherein the bodyhas rigid, spaced apart end portions with the pair of body sidewallsextending therebetween, the body sidewalls being resilient and yieldablydeformable in the lateral direction upon insertion and removal of thecapsule.
 11. The lure of claim 8 wherein the capsule retainers include aplurality of protrusions attached to each of the sidewalls at one of thecavity openings and projecting toward the protrusions on the oppositesidewall and into the cavity opening with the distance between theopposing protrusions such that a chemiluminescent capsule can be pushedpast the protrusion by deforming its resilient outer layer forpositioning the capsule within the cavity for use of the lure or removalof the capsule from within the cavity, but cannot pass by the protrusiononce within the cavity under the normal forces encountered on thecapsule during use of the lure.
 12. The lure of claim 8 wherein thesidewalls have outward portions which converge toward each other at thecavity opening opposite the opening into which the protrusions project,the sidewall portions converge to a distance therebetween substantiallyequal to the diameter of the capsule such that the capsule can be pushedlaterally through the converging sidewall portions by deforming itsresilient outer layer for positioning the cavity within the cavity orremoval therefrom but cannot pass out the cavity opening defined by theconverging sidewalls once within the cavity under the normal forcesencountered on the capsule during use of the lure, the sidewall portionsconverge toward each other from a position inward of the cavity openingand define an elongated central cavity portion inward of the protrusionsat the one cavity opening and inward of the converging sidewall portionsdefining the other cavity opening, the central cavity portion providingan expansion location within the cavity where the capsule can bepositioned during usage.
 13. An illuminated fishing lure for housing anelongated chemiluminescent capsule, comprising:an elongated bodyincluding a longitudinally extending cavity at least as long as thecapsule, the cavity being formed in the body by a pair of opposedsidewalls spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive thechemiluminescent capsule therebetween, the cavity having at least onelongitudinally extending opening communicating with the body cavity andsized large enough to allow lateral passage of the capsule therethrough;a capsule retainer positioned to permit selective insertion and removalof a chemiluminescent capsule through the cavity opening, and to retainthe capsule within the cavity against the normal forces encountered onthe capsule during use of the lure; a pair of flexible straps, eachhaving one end attached to one of two opposite end portions of the body,and having a free end; a pair of exterior wall portions of the body,each wall portion being positioned at one of the opposite end portionsof the body for cooperation with one of the straps, the wall portionsbeing positioned for a line to which the lure is attached to passthereover; and strap locking elements each at one of the opposite endportions of the body, each element lockably retaining the correspondingstrap and each strap having a length sufficient to overlie thecorresponding exterior wall portion and frictionally engage the linepassing thereover between the strap and the exterior wall portion whenthe strap is locked in position by the corresponding strap lockingelement.